Phone Call

As I got out of a meeting and got back into my office I saw that I had a message on my voicemail at church. Being a youth pastor for about 11 years now, getting a phone call from a parent can go a few different ways:

Sit. #1 - I'm calling about that game you did on Wed. night. My son's tongue still has turned back to it's natural color yet. What are you gonna do about that?

Living in Jr. High world now there have been a few occasions where we've created some interesting games that have caused some "temporary" side effects. Nothing that won't return to normal in a few days. Kinda like the old doctor used to say, "Take 2 of these and call me in the morning". You know, doing some crazy games that create a "Wow Factor" for some laughs and create energy but we never shoot for games that will harm or embarrass a student. I joke a little with this situational call but they have been known to happen.

Sit. #2 -My son/daughter is really having a tough time . . . school, connecting at church, obeying me, etc.

I value these calls because it makes me realize a few things:

1. Parents aren't afraid to ask someone for help with their student because they love their student that much.
2. I'm humbled that a parent would see me as someone who can help with the situation. I know that I don't know all the answers and sometimes I think I might cause more harm to the situation that good but knowing that a parent believes I can help out fuels me to work harder in seeing how I can help them and their student.
3. The value in partnering with parents is of high priority in ministry. We need parents on the same page and side as us. We only have their students a few hours a week. They are with them 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
4. It helps me remember that ministry is about relationships.

Sit. #3 - I just wanted to thank you for hanging out with, talking with, calling, doing lunch with, encouraging, sending the note to, challenging, etc.

Although these phone calls are few and far between, when you get one it makes a huge difference and you remember them. I've learned that in ministry a lot of the thank yous and encouraging conversations happen sometimes years later after students have come and gone in your ministry. That's why when you get a phone call like this you feel on top of the world and it refocuses you that what you're doing, whether volunteer, part-time or full-time...IT'S WORTH IT! You are making a difference. You are changing lives. You are helping people take a step closer in their walk with Christ.

When I realized this several years ago I called my youth leaders, sent emails, made phone calls, sent texts and more to tell them how much they've made an impact on me. Every chance I can now I try to do that to them along with the amazing people I work with every day and the team I get to rub ministry shoulders with in Jr. High.

Today I'm thankful that the call I received out of the blue was a situation #3 phone call. IT'S WORTH IT! And I'm thankful for all the things that phone call made me think about: The value of relationships, parents, encouragement and more.

Thanks for the call. Now it's time for me and you to Pay it Forward. Are you ready? Bring it! Let's go!!

YS Middle School Ministry Summit

I'm typing to you from a really neat minsitry opportunity. I'm here with my partner in ministry at the Youth Specialties Middle School Ministry Summit. There are 45 of us here, guys and gals, from all over the country. Lots to talk about. We're actually creating the discussion for while we are here to trying answer some of the main topics we feel we're dealing and wrestling with. It's been great so far. Lots of information but even cooler is the connection with so many middle school minding individuals. More to come later. We have a recreation break and we're going to play paintball. I'm hoping to shoot some of the speakers just for the fun of it and being able to say I did it.

From Past to Present

As I said, I'll be bringing you up to speed on some events that took place over the last few weeks. On June 3rd Rose and I had the honor of going to an ordination service for a very special person. This is me and one of my youth leaders, Frank Taubitz (Associate Pastor at Calvary Missionary Church in Livonia, MI). About a month or so before this photo Frank had asked if I would come and lead worship for his ordination service. For all that he and I have been through and for what he has meant to me over the years, I didn't even have to hesitate, the answer was 'Yes, I'm there'.

Over the month of June at church we were going through a series called "Love Wins" and one week we talked about thinking back to those people in our lives who have helped us meet Christ and helped us grow in our relationship with Him. Frank was definitely one of those people in my life. I'm sure at the time Frank felt like many of us in ministry (not just pastoral but more importantly those of you who volunteer).

When I met Frank he worked in the field of computers, had two small children and a wife yet he felt so compelled by the love of Christ in his own life that he felt God calling him and his wife to work with the youth at Allen Road Missionary Church. Frank was fairly new himself as a Christian at the time and used to play in a bar band called "The Key". Little did he know, (this sounds distinctly like a line from "Stranger Than Fiction", sorry for that side note - great movie though) that God was about to use his life to influence and touch the lives of many people. Little did he know at the time that he would be a major influence in helping me get to the place that I am now in my life, a youth pastor and worship leader.

There is so much more I could tell you about my friend, mentor, brother - Frank. I talk about him and some of my other youth leaders often when I talk ministry with others. The great part about Frank that I hope will encourage many of you, is that Frank at the time was just someone who wanted to be used by God and he used those gifts and talents that he had to use for God's glory. Frank eventually felt the calling to going into the ministry which is awesome and I know he is and will do great things for God BUT know that to me Frank was my pastor before he became a pastor. To those of you who feel called to use what you have for God to change the lives of others, even when you feel like you don't have much to offer, you are still pastors to those students, co-workers, friends, neighbors, (enter your own group of people here), and God can use you in mighty ways if you'll just say "God, I'm IN because Love Wins".